TIGHAR

Amelia Earhart Search Forum => Artifact Analysis => Topic started by: Ted G Campbell on July 31, 2011, 12:50:20 PM

Title: Amellia's Shoe Heels - size?
Post by: Ted G Campbell on July 31, 2011, 12:50:20 PM
Ric or others,

I was re reading some old forum postings and looking through the historic TIGHAR data and came across the discussion about how the shoe heal found on Niku was “close but no cigar” regarding the size not being compatible with the shoe size for AE.

Then I got to wondering, when was the last time the heel was measured?  Having been in storage for all these years could the size have changed because it is no longer in the ecological climate of Niku.

Finally, a more general question is; regarding all the artifacts brought home by TAGHAR how are they stored e. g. climate controlled, sealed in containers, etc?

Ted Campbell
Title: Re: Amellia's Shoe Heels - size?
Post by: Ric Gillespie on July 31, 2011, 01:04:01 PM
Then I got to wondering, when was the last time the heel was measured?  Having been in storage for all these years could the size have changed because it is no longer in the ecological climate of Niku.

Measuring the shoe heel is pointless.  Heels are not sized.  The same heel could be used on a wide range of shoe sizes.  The size of the shoe whose remnants we found in 1991 was determined (very roughly) by reassembling what fragments we have of the rubber sole.  The nail holes in heel and the sole line up but the rubber of both may have shrunk in the Niku sun and heat.  They do not appear to have expanded over the last 20 years.

Finally, a more general question is; regarding all the artifacts brought home by TAGHAR how are they stored e. g. climate controlled, sealed in containers, etc?

All artifacts are stored in a climate controlled environment. Most are in "ziplock" bags. A few especially fragile artifacts are in highly specialized sealed bags with packets of desiccant and supported in foam cradles.

Title: Re: Amellia's Shoe Heels - size?
Post by: Don Dollinger on August 01, 2011, 08:31:32 AM
Quote
Measuring the shoe heel is pointless.  Heels are not sized.  The same heel could be used on a wide range of shoe sizes. 

Also during that time most people would have shoes reheeled and resoled (and some still do) when worn down versus just pitching them and purchasing new.  Would think it would be pretty difficult to determine for certain that they are the original heels. 

LTM,

Don
Title: Re: Amellia's Shoe Heels - size?
Post by: Kevin Weeks on August 05, 2011, 12:14:17 PM
another issue with the shoes when compared to the ones amelia is wearing in the picture. (sorry don't have the link) is that hers are two toned. the inner half of the heel is one color and the outer half is another.... very distinctive.
Title: Re: Amellia's Shoe Heels - size?
Post by: Craig Romig on August 07, 2011, 11:21:15 PM
how possible is it. that the shoe or shoes found on the south could have beem from the norwich city as thrown away after a replacement from the trongate was made. if  replacements were done? and not just someone who didnt have any shoes when  leaving the norwich city.
Title: Re: Amellia's Shoe Heels - size?
Post by: Ric Gillespie on August 08, 2011, 02:15:43 PM
another issue with the shoes when compared to the ones amelia is wearing in the picture. (sorry don't have the link) is that hers are two toned. the inner half of the heel is one color and the outer half is another.... very distinctive.

That's right.  You'd have to say that sometime during the trip AE had her shoe's re-heeled.  I don't buy it.